Almost forty years after it was recorded this recording of a club gig,
at an unidentified venue has surfaced. The Yardbirds inherited The Rolling
Stones rhythm and blues residency at the Craw Daddy Club in Richmond, Surrey
after the Stones had started their ascent to global stardom. The bands
line up was Keith Rolf, singer and harmonics player, bassist Paul Samwell
Smith, rhythm guitarist Chris Drega, drummer Jim McCarty, oh and a lead
guitarist called Eric Clapton.

The bands debut album, released in December 1964, was a live recording
called "Five Live Yardbirds". An unusual step for a large company like
EMI in those days. It is thought by members of the bands that this recording
pre dates that debut album by some months. The set list, as with all rhythm
and blues bands was taken from the songbooks of the great American black
music stars. Howlin Wolf was represented by "Smokestack Lightning", Sonny
Boy Williams on "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" a studio version which
was soon to be released as a single. Slim Harpo "I Got Love If You Want
It" and the ever present Chuck Berry is featured on "Too Much Monkey Business".
Obviously the recording of live gigs was unsophisticated way back in the
mists of time in 1964, but what this album lacks in sound quality and length
(it last just over the 30 minute mark) it makes up for in the sheer enthusiasm
of the band and is a rare chance to hear the, even then, considerable guitar
skills of the young Eric Clapton.

It's interesting how the audience listens while the band are playing,
remember this was the time of frenzied live shows by the Beatles and the
previous occupants of the Home Counties R&B Crown, The Rolling Stones
were also performing to hordes of screaming girls, so much so that Brian
Jones could get away with playing "Popeye The Sailorman" on guitar and
nobody noticed.

Eric Clapton didn't stay long with The Yardbirds, being the blues purist
he didn't agree with the commercially sounding psychedelic pop the band
started recording. In fact the band didn't last that long with replacement
guitarist Jimmy Page eventually evolving the band into Led Zeppelin. This
album is accompanied by the usual excellent Sanctuary Records fold out
booklet annotated by blues expert Neil Sloven.